[dmm]

Taqwus and Atraikius -- Thanks for the good thoughts. I wonder if it is possible to mod SEIV fighters in such a way. You'd have to change the tech tree, of course, but that is do-able in principle.
Good: You could get the limited launching per turn. You could have the number limited separately from general supplies. You could restock at any planet. (Is that right? You don't need a spaceyard to make fighters, right?)
Bad: The problem that stumps me is how to limit their range during combat (ships don't use fuel during combat), and how to keep them off the strategic map (unlike real fighters).
Somewhat bad: The AI wouldn't know how to use them.
Possibly bad: Players could retarget them in midflight. (Personally, I like that.)